Christmas is still weeks away, but that didn't stop King Charles from giving his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, a very special gift ahead of the big day. This year is especially meaningful for King Charles, as both he and Catherine successfully completed their cancer treatments in 2024. Sources close to the monarch have shared that he is thrilled about the upcoming holiday season and has been looking happy and healthy. He’s also overjoyed that Catherine has finished her treatment and is excited to celebrate with the entire family at Sandringham.
The Princess of Wales was recently honored with a prestigious title by King Charles, further solidifying her important role within the monarchy. However, her debut appearance with this new distinction was missed at a major event, as she was absent from the Qatari State Banquet at Buckingham Palace last month. In April, Princess Catherine was named a Royal Companion of the Order of Companions of Honor—an honor previously never granted to any member of the royal family. This distinction was presented during a ceremony at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, a venue rich with royal history
This historic appointment highlights Catherine’s significant contributions to the monarchy and underscores her close relationship with King Charles, especially as they both face ongoing health challenges. The announcement was made on St George’s Day, a date steeped in British tradition, and was part of a new list of royal honors unveiled by Buckingham Palace. Princess Catherine’s appointment as a Royal Companion of Honor not only recognizes her many accomplishments but also signals King Charles’s trust in her as a central figure in the future of the monarchy.
Over the years, Princess Catherine has expertly balanced tradition with modernity, showing grace and dedication expected of a future Queen Consort. Despite this, she was unable to attend the Qatari State Banquet, a key event on the royal calendar. Her absence was due to health reasons, as she had been advised to limit her engagements following her Christmas Carol service earlier that month.
In a thoughtful gesture, King Charles ensured Catherine’s presence was still felt in a meaningful way. He gifted an array of majestic treats to decorate Westminster Abbey, transforming the historic venue into a winter wonderland for the occasion. In 2024, everything seemed normal as King Charles and the Princess of Wales were seen smiling and waving to everyone. But just weeks later, both would be hospitalized and diagnosed with cancer.
A former royal staff member claims that the family must have sensed something was wrong, but they did their best to keep it hidden from the public. While they may have put on brave faces, there was undoubtedly some uncertainty about the future. Thankfully, both Charles and Catherine are reportedly on the road to recovery, and the coming year should be more celebratory for them. The most important thing for them now is to spend time with family and friends, just like anyone else, and wish for good health in the coming year.
After everything they've endured, this Christmas will be especially meaningful for King Charles and Queen Camilla. They will cherish having as many family members as possible with them during the holiday. As the number of young children in the family grows, the celebrations are becoming more child-oriented, which is exactly what Christmas should be about. This year, the entire family will want to come together around King Charles and Queen Camilla to put the challenges of the past behind them and welcome a brighter future.
While Catherine and William will attend the royal family’s Christmas celebrations at Sandringham, they won’t spend the entire weekend there. Instead, the couple and their three children will also visit Carole and Michael Middleton at Amner Hall. They prefer the relaxed informality of a lunch at Amner Hall, and this year, they will enjoy this tradition with the Middleton family. The Wales family will also take part in the royal family’s festivities and join in the traditional walk to and from church, making this holiday season one to remember.
